LIST: Long weekend getaways
MANILA, Philippines — The rainy day season might be here, but it is never too late to savor the upcoming long weekend breaks ahead like it's summer.
Rain or shine, enjoy a day or more with friends or family. Here are some road trip ideas from north to south of the country.
Go on an art-cation
International toy brands like Disney and Peanuts, party essentials, crafts materials, gameboards and books are on sale until September 1 at Kids Ink, a premiere retail store for children’s books, educational toys and creativity supplies, located in One Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City and in Alabang Town Center.
International toy brands like Disney and Peanuts, party essentials, crafts materials, gameboards and books are on sale until September 1 at Kids Ink, a premiere retail store for children’s books, educational toys and creativity supplies, located in One Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City and in Alabang Town Center. Philstar.com/Deni Bernardo
Until August 25, take a look at "Art for Everyone: A Sy-Sanso Art Tribute," an art exhibit that depicts the fruitful history of Henry Sy Sr. and Juvenal Sanso's friendship and discover new paintings and sculptures from select SM Megamall galleries. The galleries included are Artasia, Art Circle Gallery, Big & Small Co., Galerie Francesca, Old Manila, Passionart Gallery, Renaissance Gallery and Unang Panahon.
From August 27 to September 1, check out "Art for Everyone: A Selling Exhibit Made by Artsy Youth and Enthusiasts." Appreciate art through curated works by aspiring student artists, schools, and associations such as Slim's Fashion and Arts School, UP, ADMU, DLSU, UST, FEU, UE, NU, DLS-CSB, Pinatakha Art Society, Kintab Artist group, Inc., Filarts, Inc., Art Lovers, and more, at select SM malls.
"Art for Everyone: A Sy-Sanso Art Tribute" in SM Megamall. Philstar.com/Deni Bernardo
KidZania Manila finally opens the new Bookstore and Art Studio by National Book Store, adding more fun and interactive roles for kids in continuing celebration of the play city’s “FUNtastic at 4” FUNniversary this month.
KidZania Manila finally opens the new Bookstore and Art Studio by National Book Store. ABS-CBN/Released
Kids who dream of becoming storytellers, writers, or artists, or those simply looking for good reads and new pursuits can check out these four activity options at the newly revamped studio:
1. Get Creative by painting murals and making artworks. Budding artists get to use shapes, colors, and their imaginative minds and brilliant senses as they paint murals and create cool artworks.
2. Unleash their imagination by writing books and telling stories. Kids can develop ingenuity by writing their own stories in the book writing activity. Another great way to share their own tales is by bringing them to life in creative storytelling sessions that fellow kids will enjoy and appreciate.
3. Discover a different world by reading solo or with companions. The bookstore supports the love of reading among kids by giving them a chance to enjoy browsing through books at their own pace and time. This activity is also open for toddlers and their companions.
4. Celebrate KidZania Manila’s FUNniversary by creating FUNtastic greeting cards. The NBS studio lets kids design their own party greeting card to celebrate KidZania Manila’s 4th FUNniversary.
Aside from the new activities at the Bookstore and Art Studio, everyone can look forward to extra “FUNtastic at 4” festive activities in over 20 establishments inside the play city.
KidZania Manila is one of the world’s most inventive, most awarded, and fastest-growing kids’ educational entertainment concepts. Founded in Mexico in 1997, it launched its first park in 1999. KidZania Manila opened in August 2015 and operates under ABS-CBN Themed Experiences Inc., a subsidiary of the country’s leading media and entertainment company that seeks to bring unique Kapamilya experiences in engaging and interactive themed attractions.
Check out the new National Bookstore and Art Studio inside KidZania Manila, located at Park Triangle in BGC.
Artist Dex Fernandez, film director Treb Monteras II - Oppo/Released
To celebrate creative freedom, Oppo has released a series of videos featuring The Reno Collective, local icons who are stretching the limits of their imagination and defying the limits of creativity by using technology. The videos are headlined by brand ambassadors like contemporary artist Dex Fernandez, film director Treb Monteras II and musicians IV of Spades.
The videos, available in Oppo Philippines' Facebook page, trace the creative journey of the artists – how they cultivated their artistry, how they eventually learned to unleash it with the help of technology, and how it has made a positive difference in their craft.
Family fun one hour away from Manila
Camp N in Nuvali offers outdoor activities such as rapelling, archery, farming, fishing and ziplining.
Accessible through the South Luzon Expressway or a one-ride public bus in Glorietta, Makati City, Nuvali, a mixed-used property in Laguna, is home to Seda hotel, which will open by early 2020 a second tower that will more than double its guest rooms and accommodate a ballroom that can seat 400.
General manager Jeffrey Enriquez explained that in addition to being a preferred weekend haunt of families escaping the metropolis, Nuvali is also at the hub of Calabarzon, an expanding manufacturing center and relocation site for factories in China, Thailand and other Asian countries.
“New industrial parks are coming up in nearby Cavite and Batangas to accommodate these new factories. Many of the industrial parks in Laguna are already fully occupied or expanding to accommodate even more manufacturing facilities," he said.
During the week, the top executives of these firms and their consultants fill the 150 rooms of the hotel and have created new demand for 206 more rooms including family suites. All told, Seda Nuvali will have 356 rooms by early 2020, according to Enriquez.
During the weekend, staycationing families from nearby cities are expected to fill up the rooms and enjoy the new facilities such as a second swimming pool and expanded game room and playroom.
Enriquez added that the hotel will have a ballroom and more function rooms in response to demand from the companies, government agencies and residents who live in the three cities of Laguna straddled by the self-contained Nuvali community developed by Ayala Land, namely: Sta. Rosa, Calamba and Cabuyao.
The 2,290-hectare growth area has dramatically transformed since the hotel, offering Filipino hospitality defined by world-class standards, opened its doors in 2014.
Nuvali’s residential areas have grown as indicated by the new campuses in the area; its shopping malls by a range of developers that have mushroomed; and sporting and recreational events that have become part of the Nuvali lifestyle.
“Local residents and executives have been asking for larger function rooms to accommodate their seminars, social occasions and other celebrations,” said Enriquez.
Nuvali has a number of photogenic chapels which have made Nuvali a more convenient destination-wedding alternative to Tagaytay, which can become congested during the weekend. The expanding Nuvali community has also created demand for a place to enjoy drinks, curated music and the view after hours.
Seda’s new tower will also host its signature roof deck bar, Straight Up. The Straight Up format, which includes mixed drinks, bar chow, and carefully-selected music amid al fresco and indoor seating, has been warmly received at the hotel's branches in BGC, Vertis North, Iloilo and Bacolod.
The new tower will likewise host an expanded all-day dining facility. The hotel's Misto restaurant will be renovated to double its capacity to more than 160. It will continue to allow diners to have a calming view of the lake which is further surrounded by a mall and other estate amenities.
Enriquez explained that the lobby will also be expanded to twice its current size while retaining the open layout and e-lounge with its bank of computers for the use of guests associated with all properties. Like the eight other hotels throughout the country, it will be accented by furniture and furnishings created by renowned Filipino artist Ann Pamintuan and artisan Kenneth Cobonpue.
Relaxation at the 'City of Pines'
Managed by InterContinental Hotels Group, Holiday Inn Baguio City Centre can be a jumpstart point to explore other Baguio attractions.
Dubbed as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines," Baguio still impresses tourists with its cool weather and amazing views.
As one of the country's arts capitals, Baguio houses the BenCab Museum, the permanent collection of National Artist Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab) in several galleries, as well as venues for art shows and exhibitions.
The museum houses the artist’s collections of his own works, as well as those of acknowledged Filipino masters and rising contemporary artists.
The Bencab Museum is committed to the promotion of the arts, and the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment, as well as the culture and traditions of the Cordilleras, as an expression of the artist’s gratitude to the country that nurtured and inspired an artistic career that continues to grow, mature and fascinate.
Apart from museums, tourists can also enjoy the Mines View Park, Burnham Park, Botanical Garden, Baguio Cathedral and shop at the night market.
Located in Legarda Road, Holiday Inn Baguio launched “Caffeinated Afternoons” for people who want to chill in the afternoon with coffee and pastries. From 2 to 5 p.m. daily, catch free-flowing special Benguet coffee or teas from the hotel’s wide selection and unlimited cakes, featuring a modern interpretation of the iconic tiramisu by the hotel's Chef Ed; as well as triple chocolate cake topped with 55 percent Malaysian dark chocolate, and more.
Dining guests can also expect an assortment of unlimited pastries and snack choices like chewy crinkles, chocolate chip cookies, mille feuille, Vienna-style brownies, assorted muffins and danishes, and signature breads: carrot and walnut bread, choco-banana loaf, and sweet and savory bread.
The Lamisaan’s peaceful atmosphere makes it a good place to spend quiet afternoons getting work done, having meetings with the team, or being with the ones you love for some heart-to-heart session.
Managed by InterContinental Hotels Group, Holiday Inn Baguio City Centre enables kids to stay and eat for free. It can also be a jumpstart point to explore other Baguio attractions such as Baguio Cathedral, Session Road, Burnham Park, Camp John Hay, The Mansion, Tam-Awan Village, Kennon Road, Mines View Park, Strawberry Farm, Philippine Military Academy, Baguio City Economic Zone, Mount Santo Tomas, Mt. Ulap Eco-Trail Wright Park, Sagada, Banaue Rice Terraces, Mt. Pulag National Park , and Tree Top Adventure.
Water slides and surf simulation
The 10-hectare, galaxy-themed water park with over 38 water rides and attractions claims to be the most advanced in the industry. Facebook/Aqua Planet
Located a few kilometers from Manila, Aqua Planet has reopened this year at Clark, Pampanga. The 10-hectare, galaxy-themed water park with over 38 water rides and attractions claims to be the most advanced in the industry that offers cashless transactions inside the park.
The most extreme ride in the park is the Aqua Loop. Ready yourselves for 100-meter free-fall into a 360-degree-loop as the launch flap opens below your feet, allowing you to slide down in a standing position.
Super Bowl devours you into its spiral tubes, swinging you right to left into a grand splash down, while Sky Shuttle will blast you upward with a steep sliding experience.
For surfing enthusiasts, Flow Rider is a simulated high-thrill surfing attraction that is designed to allow riders to experience a surfing wave at a controlled environment. It operates through high volume pumps generating a continuous sheet of flowing water.
Water play for kids is made fun in the Kids Zone with different sprinklers such as the fig, small turtles, sunny flowers, colorful mushrooms, morning glory and even a "friendly" alligator. Apart from those, there are also Octupus Racers, Super Bowl, Spiral Slides, Tornado, Sky Shuttle, Wave Pool, Wave River, and Orc Lagoon.
For safety measures, 100 licensed professional lifeguards are stationed in different places in the park. The park has also no major damage in the recent earthquake that struck North Luzon as their structural engineers inspect the park regularly.
Have a Science sleepover
Inside Mind Museum
Registration is now open for "Science Sleepover: Night at the Circus" at the Mind Museum in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. The sleepover from August 24 to 25 includes breakfast, bed, tent, sleepover kit, access to the museum and its Science Circus Traveling Exhibit.
Living like a local in Cebu City
Designed to be both functional and cozy, the hotel boasts of apartments that combine all the conveniences of a modern home and the services of a hotel. Photo release
Soon-to-open Citadines Cebu City ensures long-stay guests a personalized stay by taking the much-loved Ascott Host program to new levels and combined with warm Visayan hospitality. Ascott Hosts aim to make guests feel at home as they give tips on the best spots, whether you are looking for pristine beaches, lush forests, or dive spots. They can help you find the best "lechon" and just about any local treats you want. They would also organize pocket events and activities that you can attend such as neighborhood get-togethers, celebrations, and a quarterly gathering of residents.
Designed to be both functional and cozy, the hotel boasts of apartments that combine all the conveniences of a modern home and the services of a hotel. Each unit has its own fully-equipped kitchen, wireless internet access, and even a built-in a washer and dryer in some. For business travelers, it also has conference and meeting facilities, as well as a gym to help tenants stay fit and healthy.
Slated to open in September, the hotel would boast a local, fun, and functional vibe. Visitors will be greeted by a burst of tropical coastal colors intermingling with natural wood, latticework, cane waves, stones, shell inlays, and local weaves. Accent lighting, cove ceilings, niches and trellises, all made by local craftsmen, evoke a natural feel.
The new Corregidor
Corregidor
The Corregidor Foundation (CFI), the Department of Tourism through its marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), and the Tourism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA), have recently unveiled the new brand of Corregidor – Corregidor Now.
Corregidor Now seeks to entice tourists to live and experience Corregidor Island in more ways than one. It invites guests to learn the unique story of Corregidor Island and explore spots around the island that are waiting to be experienced, making it a unique and exciting tourism destination.
With the campaign, they seek to actively promote the island’s various attractions, such as middle-side barracks, battery grubs, Pacific war memorial complex, Cine Corregidor, Spanish lighthouse, Japanese garden of peace, Filipino heroes memorial, Malinta tunnel and Lorcha dock.
Beyond historical relics, the island boasts of a multitude of opportunities for every type of traveler to enjoy — biking, bird watching, camping, fishing, hiking, island runabout, and kayaking are just some of the fun activities in the island.
“For years, Corregidor Island seemed to be perceived solely as a popular historical site, with its idyllic features unknown to many,” CFI Chairperson and CEO Cynthia Carrion said. “With our campaign, we hope that it will usher in a new era for this eco-historical location, making it known as a place of sanctuary where one can enjoy a relaxing opportunity to revel in the past."
